Evidenced by the recent American Society of Plastic Surgeons’ (ASPS) 2012 statistics, facial cosmetic procedures have seen a significant growth while the number of breast and body procedures performed in the U.S. slightly declined. Three of the top five cosmetic procedures were blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery), rhinoplasty, and facelift surgery. According to the statistics, minimally invasive procedures such as cosmetic injectables and laser treatments have each grown by 5-8%. Age group studies conducted by ASPS and other experts have predicted that the cause for the growth is the large cohort of aging baby boomers. With over 20 years of facial plastic surgery experience, Dr. Fernando Burstein has treated many patients concerned about signs of aging with both surgical and non-surgical procedures.

Minimally invasive procedures saw the most growth, which can be traced to both advances in technology and lower costs compared to surgical procedures. Cosmetic injectables and dermal fillers smooth facial wrinkles and restore areas of lost volume. Many patients choose these procedures for the minimal to no downtime. Technological advances such as skin-tightening devices like Ultherapy® and laser technology, like our Sciton® Erbium laser, provide additional options for patients. Sciton® and other technologies such as Matrix RF™ provide skin resurfacing, which rejuvenates skin by reducing the appearance of sun spots, wrinkles, uneven skin tone, and scars.

While baby boomers have been linked to the increase in facial cosmetic procedures, these treatments are available for adults of any age. If you are interested in a facial rejuvenation procedure, be sure to contact us today to schedule a consultation. Also, connect with Dr. Burstein on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+ for the latest facial plastic surgery news.

Dr. Fernando Burstein has recently added the Sciton® Erbium laser to his menu of minimally invasive treatment options. The Erbium laser utilizes light energy to treat deep wrinkles and lines, severe acne scars, and post traumatic scarring. By delivering light energy to the skin, Erbium exfoliates dead, damaged skin cells and generates collagen production for younger, healthy-looking skin. Erbium is available for in-office use to resolve minor to moderate skin conditions, but Dr. Burstein may also perform laser skin resurfacing after a surgical procedure such as a facelift or browlift. Erbium can also treat plastic surgery scars and is routinely used to maintain plastic surgery results.

In addition to laser skin resurfacing, Dr. Burstein also offers other non-surgical facial treatments including cosmetic injectables and chemical peels. Cosmetic injectables such as Botox® and Restylane® smooth facial wrinkles and furrows. Chemical peels gently remove dead skin cells to reveal new, healthy skin underneath. This procedure improves mild skin conditions such as acne, hyperpigmentation, and scars. Like laser skin resurfacing, chemical peels can be performed in-office or directly after a surgical procedure. However, Erbium laser treatmentsaddress deeper wrinkling and more prominent acne, pigmentation, and scars.

If you’re interested in Sciton® Erbium laser resurfacing treatments or other facial procedures, be sure to contact us today to schedule a consultation. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+ for the latest facial plastic surgery news and updates.

The recent influx of news stories surrounding fake plastic surgeons performing cosmetic procedures in salons and the like demonstrates that the refrain can never be overstated: Do your research when planning for plastic surgery! These instances emphasize the importance of patient education and finding a board certified plastic surgeon. The people featured in the news were often looking for a deal on cosmetic surgery and were duped by people posing as qualified surgeons.

The American Board of Plastic Surgeons (ABPS) has a standard set of criteria that surgeons must meet before becoming board certified. The process is voluntary, meaning surgeons can choose to become board certified after their training by passing the ABPS written and oral exams. Before exams, every surgeon must have graduated from an accredited medical school and completed at least five years of additional training as a resident surgeon through an accredited program. These years of additional training can include specialty training like Dr. Fernando Burstein’s training in otolaryngology (specialized surgery of the head and neck) in which he is also certified.

Certification takes a long time to achieve for a reason. The more experience you have, the better you become. Dr. Burstein was certified by the ABPS in 1991 and is an active member of the American Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, and the American Society of Maxillofacial Surgeons. Specializing in facial plastic surgery, Dr. Burstein performs everything from facelift surgery to combat signs of aging to reconstructive procedures for adults and children to remedy congenital defects and the results of trauma.

Before choosing a plastic surgeon, it’s imperative to research him or her thoroughly. Ask for certifications and organization memberships. Look up testimonials from previous patients, and find the surgeon’s before and after galleries to see the results others achieved. Board certification is more than just a title, it’s earned.

To stay updated on the latest plastic surgery news, connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+. For more information on the procedures Dr. Burstein performs and to learn more about his training and experience, visit his website.